College gears up for International Week
February 26 , 2007
Each year more than half a million students from countries the world over enroll at colleges throughout the United States, for decades the most popular destination of international students. LaGrange College shares in this diverse gathering of global cultures, and to pay homage to the wealth of traditions embodied in the students and faculty who hail from abroad, the College is sponsoring its 13th annual International Week.
“Our purpose for International Week is to spread cultural awareness to our staff, faculty and students,” said Diana Celorio, International Student Advisor and Director of the Career Development Center. “I think it’s important to let people know that there is a world outside the Hill and that we have people here who represent many countries.”
With events scheduled from March 5 through March 9, International Week is a time that international students on the Hill look forward to, according to Celorio.
“They’re all thrilled about it,” she said. “I always tell them when they come to LaGrange College that they’re going to learn more about their own countries than they ever wanted to know because when you come here, people ask questions.”
Multiple functions are planned for the curious to offer queries about other cultures, beginning with an event scheduled in Pitts Dining Hall on Monday, March 5.
That day the hall will be decorated with flags from around the world, and commercials made by international students will advertise other events planned for the week. Also, a raffle for an iPod and other prizes begins March 5 to benefit Operation Smile, an organization that pays for underprivileged international children to have cleft lip surgery.
Raffle tickets will be sold in the dining hall, and they may be purchased from international students and from the Career Development Center.
On Tuesday, March 6, a Japanese Tea Ceremony takes place at 11:15 a.m. in the Bailey Room. Tomoko Aoyagi, who leads a group dedicated to the preservation of the ancient rite, will perform the ceremony – which also is a Cultural Enrichment event.
Things really start cooking on Wednesday, March 7, during International Food Day in the dining hall.
During lunch that day, the College community will have the opportunity to indulge in a variety of gastronomical delights, each delicacy carefully prepared per the instructions of home-recipes submitted by international students.
A Cultural Chat is scheduled for Thursday, March 8, at 11:15 a.m. in the Assembly Room. The Cultural Enrichment event will feature speakers from the Republic of Georgia, Thailand, Costa Rica and Saint Martin.
“One of the things that motivates them to speak is that they really want to get rid of the stereotypes that people may have about their countries,” Celorio said. During the chat, Evening College Director Linda McMullen also will address the subject of stereotypes.
The week’s events conclude on Friday, March 9, in the Pitt with International Music Night. Attendees will enjoy an eclectic mix of music submitted by international students and have an opportunity to learn Salsa and Costa Rican dances. Additionally, a Thai and Vietnamese boxing demonstration will be conducted.
For more information regarding International Week, contact Celorio at (706) 880-8185.
